2021 MI school shooting sentencing : Ethan Crumbley, Michigan School Shooter, to be Sentenced for Killing Four Classmates

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Michigan, US, December 8 (ANI): Ethan Crumbley, a 15-year-old sophomore student who was arrested for the heinous act of killing four of his classmates in the 2021 Michigan school shooting, is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday, according to ABC News.

Crumbley faced charges of killing four of his classmates and injuring others in the tragic school shooting. He pleaded guilty to 24 charges, including first-degree premeditated murder and terrorism causing death, when he was 15 years old at the time of the incident. Despite his age, a judge ruled that a life sentence without the possibility of parole was appropriate. It is worth noting that both first-degree premeditated murder and terrorism causing death carry a minimum sentence of 25 to 40 years. Prosecutors have stated that there were no plea deals, reductions, or agreements regarding sentencing.

The victims of the school shooting were identified as Madisyn Baldwin (17), Hana St. Juliana (14), Tate Myre (16), and Justin Shilling (17). The incident took place at Oxford High School on November 30, 2021, and resulted in the injury of six students and a teacher.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Kwame Rowe highlighted disturbing evidence against Crumbley, including instances where he displayed violence and expressed pleasure in torturing a baby bird. “There is other disturbing evidence but it is clear to this court that the defendant had an obsession with violence before the shooting,” Judge Rowe said. The judge also questioned the possibility of Crumbley being rehabilitated in jail, stating that the evidence does not demonstrate a desire to change and that the defendant continues to be obsessed with violence.

Notably, Crumbley’s parents, Jennifer and James Crumbley, were also charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter after allegedly failing to recognize warning signs about their son leading up to the shooting. Both parents have pleaded not guilty, and their trial is set to begin on January 23.

During the plea hearing in October 2022, Crumbley admitted in court that he had asked his father to buy him a specific gun. He also confirmed that he paid his father for the gun and that the semi-automatic handgun was not stored in a locked safe.

In the months before the shooting, a teacher reportedly saw Crumbley researching ammunition in class. The school officials contacted his parents, but they did not respond, according to prosecutors. Prosecutors also revealed that Crumbley’s mother texted him, saying, “Lol, I’m not mad at you; you have to learn not to get caught.” Additionally, a teacher found a note on Crumbley’s desk hours before the shooting, which depicted a drawing of a semi-automatic handgun with the words, “The thoughts won’t stop, help me,” and another section containing the words, “Blood everywhere.”

The sentencing hearing will allow the victims to provide impact statements. The tragic incident has left a lasting impact on the community and has raised important questions about gun control and the recognition of warning signs in potential perpetrators of violence.

As the case continues to unfold, it serves as a reminder of the urgent need for preventive measures and support systems to identify and address potential threats to ensure the safety and well-being of students in schools..